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"Don't worry about it. It's good to dress up on days like this. Now, hold out your hand." Misaki smiled down at the younger girl as he placed an iron pair of scissors in her hand.

The girl inspected the scissors in her hand, her face painted with curiosity as she spoke.

"Is something happening?"

"I'm taking a photo with my students today."

The sound of other children occupied your blank thoughts, but you still couldn't withdraw your eyes from the two in front of you.

"Oh, there you are! All right, everyone line up!"

The teacher and his students made their way up the stairs, preparing themselves for the picture. You remained where you were, your body felt planted to the floor as if you're legs became one with the ground below you.

"Hey, Sensei, why are we taking the picture here? Shouldn't our group photo be at school?" One student asked.

"A girl's ghost haunts this place. I've seen her." Another chimed in.

The children continued to add on to the topic of a girl's ghost, all except one student. The girl who had gotten her hair cut by Misaki, hid from the others, slowly fading away from existence.

"This is a good spot for it." Misaki started, pausing shortly for his students to add in their questions and claims.

"Come on, now, face front." The children agreed and followed his order, showing their bright smiles for the photo.

Misaki looked over to the side, his smile flattened but then appeared fondly again. He reached out towards a stone fox statue, caressing it softly.

"You too."

With a slight pull, the girl had reappeared, a look of astonishment sparkled in her eyes but she quickly adapted and matched the other students faces with a smile.

With a flash of light, everything in front of your eyes faded away, you noticed that a photo had made its way towards you, raising your arm gently, you plucked it from the calm morning air.

"That girl... she looks just like—"

"The Second Wonder of your school? You do have a keen eye, Y/N."

Again you heard Misaki's voice, but this time it sounded much closer than before. Turning your body, you are met again with the soft smile of the Second Wonder's past teacher, Misaki.

"She never did change, did she? I'm sorry, on my behalf, for all of the trouble she has caused you and your friends."

You looked back at the photo and frowned, it remained quiet between the two of you for a moment, but you gathered the courage to finally speak.

"I... I wish I had done more... To help her." You began, looking off into the forever lasting distance.

Misaki hummed softly, looking down at you with a curious look.

"Why do you wish that, exactly?"

Looking down at the picture in your hand, you bit your lip, tears started to form in your eyes, blurring your vision.

"I wanted to help! My friends, Yako-San...  You! But I ended up going against your wishes to save her... I failed."  You sobbed quietly, helplessly watching as your tears fell on the surface of the class photo.

Again, you felt hopeless, you had one job as a soul connector and you ruined it.

The warmth of a hand caressed the top of your head, causing you to look up at the owner. Your eyes glimmered in the light around you, his warm smile gifted you a sense of encouragement, not disappointment or annoyance.

He was proud of you. 

"Who says that you still can't help? You'll see her again, without a doubt." Misaki returned his hand to his side, but his smile remained warm and calming. You quietly wiped your tears, feeling determined again.

Before you could speak again, Misaki's figure disappeared. The world around you faded away and you slowly felt yourself slip back into the world of the living.

But you still held the photo in your hand, careful to not let it go.

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"Y/N-Chan?"

You were woken from of your sleep by the sound of a soft, slightly panicked voice that you can only associate with Yashiro. The sensation of a cold hand pressed against your cheek, causing you to shiver and gently push the owner's hand away. The person then chuckled heartily, it was definitely Hanako.

Opening your eyes groggily, you sat up, taking in your surroundings. You realized that you had been back in the dark hallways of your school and that the clothes you were wearing before had changed back into your normal uniform.

"You're awake!" Yashiro cheered joyfully, pulling you into a tight hug.

Smiling, you hugged her back, your nose tingled as Yashiro's hair brushed against it.

Your eyes widened as you noticed that someone from your group was missing, you quickly pulled away from Yashiro, worry glazing your eyes.

"Where's Minamoto-Kun?! Is he alright...?"  You asked, frantically looking around for at least a glimpse of the blonde-haired boy.

"If you're looking for him, here."

Hanako reached into his back pocket and pulled out a plush toy that looked a lot like Kou. You gasped as you watched Yashiro take the doll into her hands, she looked at it with shock.

Adorable!!

You smiled at the plush, silently wishing that he would stay like that. But you knew it was the wrong thing to think about, especially since he was your friend. That didn't stop you from hugging it for a bit.

"The boy fought valiantly." Hanako sniffled, wiping a single tear with a handkerchief.

"He'll turn back, right? Along with Aoi and the others?" Yashiro's question pulled you back into reality again, you both looked at Hanako, waiting for his answer.

"Of course. I'll get it taken care of."

Hanako smiled gently as he bent down to reach for something. pulling it back up, your eyes slightly widen at the sight.

"By her." Hanako finishes, holding up what looks to be a fox that looked very similar to the statue you saw while watching Misaki and the students.

"The Second Wonder...this is her true form?" You mumbled to yourself. Hanako hummed at your question, his smile widening a bit.

"You're right. She's an Inari statue. She moves, though. Come on, Number Two. Where's your apology?" 

The white fox turned her head to the side, shrugging. she let out a small huff, showing that she wasn't looking to give an apology.

Hanako swiftly pulls out his knife, holding her by the head and glaring at her with a dark glint in his eyes.

"Time to make kitsune udon."

"W-Wait! Hold on!" Yashiro hastily tried to stop Hanako from cooking his fellow wonder, redirecting the subject.

"What will happen to everyone who turned into dolls?"

"They'll all turn back in the morning. I don't have much power left but I doubt they will remember anything." The small fox explained, causing Yashiro to breathe a sigh of relief.

You smiled, happy to feel at least a bit of joy throughout this tiresome day. But one soul still felt sad.

Glancing at the fox, you noticed that she looked a bit disappointed on how things turned out. Remembering what Misaki had told you, you pulled out the class photo that you had tucked away in your pocket.

"Fox-san... I want you to have this." You handed her the photo, the stains from your tears had cleared, almost as if they were never there to begin with.

"He wanted you to be happy... So I'm giving this picture to you. You'll always be able to see him here." You smiled gently, watching as she grabbed the photo from your hands.

"...Thank you." 

Your smiled widened at her response, you subconsciously reached out your hand, petting the small fox. At first, she seemed irritated with such casual contact, but with such a calming presence in front of her she allowed you for just a moment.

"Hmph! Cut that out, I have zero intentions of befriending you." 

The fox walked out of your grasp, carrying the photo you gave her in her mouth. She walked up the steps and stared down at Yashiro and you.

"My name is Yako. Next time either of you call me "Fox-san" I'll bite your hand clean off!" With that, Yako took her leave. Ascending the rest of the stairs .

You smiled and waved at her while Yashiro stared in shock at what she had just heard. After Yako became out of sight, you stood up and dusted yourself off. 

"Maybe kitsune udon was a good idea... The nerve of her." Yashiro complained, glaring at where the fox was originally seated.

"Don't be like that, Yashiro-san. She didn't mean it." You patted your annoyed friend on the back, causing her to relax a bit. 

The feeling of another pair of arms wrap loosely around your neck, careful to give you a bit of personal space but not much. 

"We've solved another problem, you two make pretty great assistances." Hanako smirked at the two of you, pinching your cheek in a playful manner. You frowned a bit, still not 100% on board about being Hanako's assistant. 

Becoming an apparition's assistant was Yashiro's thing, you didn't want to take that away from her even if she seemed excited about it. It didn't feel right to take something away that felt special for her.

"Actually... How about I become Yashiro's assistant instead?" You remove Hanako's arms and turned to Yashiro, your eyes sparkled at the idea.

"M-my assistant? But why?" She asked, a look of confusion extremely present on her face.

"Well... I know that being a powerful apparition's assistant is important to you, you take pride in it. I wouldn't want to make that less special for you." 

"Y/N-chan..." Yashiro's eyes sparkled as she listened to your explanation

"You're.... AMAZING!!" She wasted no time embracing you in a powerful hug, almost knocking you down to the floor and taking out Hanako with you. 

"Yashiro! You're going to make us tilt over!"

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